Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Andrew Stanton SplineCast

As promised here is the second spline doctors "splinecast" In this 3 part series, we talk with Writer/Director Andrew Stanton. You will have to excuse some of the audio quality. I'm doing this stuff in my office...

60 Comments:

Hey Andrew (Gordon), great job! Andrew (Stanton) told an awesome story. I had no idea he was number two and Pete was number three... very cool. What an interesting time to be working at Pixar.

I love hearing Animators backstories, and how they got to where they are. It's nice to hear their frustrations and the moments where they almost give it up. I feel like I can relate to that:) But it's very incouraging as well, since persistance seems to pay off! Looking forward to the next one!-Mark

Thanks to both Andrews for the wonderful Spline Cast! It's always encouraging to know that these people we idolize and put on pedestals started out in the same situations we did. Looking forward to hearing parts 2 and 3.

Good luck with those technical difficulties, Dr. Gordon. :) Hopefully in future Spline Casts we'll be able to hear you better!

Great splinecast! Great interviewee, great story, great questions,... only suggestion on the "technical issues": get rid of the music, or at least lower the volume. In the beginning, I could hardly hear what you were saying through it. Maybe you could put the volume a bit higher in the parts you are talking during the interview as well, although that's nothing particularly annoying.

I knew the volume was a bit high. Sorry about that. Look for another part of the interview in a few days. Andrew gives out pure Gold. It's a good time to be in animation. There are so many resources now. When I was in school it was all a mystery. Now, with all the blogs, podcast, websites, chat groups, you have so many options.

Thank you so much for that! I was so excited I accidentally played it too loud and woke up my dad...oops...I too love to hear how people got started in the business and I'm very glad to hear that Andrew Stanton didn't just give up!!

Awesome. It's always great to hear how such a talented person finds his or her way to true calling and passion and how they overcame obstacles along the way and kept on going. I'm not a 3D animator myself, but I love animation and I love your site. Thank you for taking the time to bring to everyone.

great stuff. you guys have really hit a market for this stuff. andrew stanton is one of my heroes. i think i've seen the special features on nemo more than the actual movie. really great to hear from him on this stuff and i can't wait for the rest.

Great interview, it was interseting to hear about his experiences coming into animation versus our own, post Roger Rabbit to Tory Story renaissance days where jobs are somewhat plentiful and animation is a bonified career.Makes me thankful for full time employment.

Great stuff, Andrew. Hearing the details of someone's career path--at least if it's not of the 'top of my class, right to work, did great, got promoted' variety--is always fascinating. Can't wait to hear more of the details on Andrew S.'s thoughts on story and directing.

Thanks Andrew (Gordon) for the splinecast, looking forward to hear the remaining two podcasts. It was interesting to know how Andrew Stanton's state of mind was in before he got the phone call from Lasseter to work at Pixar.

Great show, keep it going! Hopefully this will inspire others to follow suit and start sharing their experiences with us who are just starting out. Its always inspiring to read what you guys have to say, couldn't thank you guys enough!

Truly inspiring story. Looking back at how a group of very few people came together to create one of the largest and most successful animation studios over the course of 20 years makes me somewhat jealous. Not to complain about the current success of animation but this scenario seems rather unlikely in today's competitive market. Please don't misread this as a complaint against the "big players" - Pixar is big because they make amazing films and deserve the success. It's just as though lightning struck a second time in animation history to create a studio like Pixar and the chances of it happening again (for current newcomers to be a part of from the beginnung ;)) seem slim.

I'm not sure how to add the podcast to itunes. If someone wants to help me do that, I'd be happy to do it. As for only getting text, if you right click in the link, you should be able to download the file. Safari has problems playing the file. I dont really know why this is happening....

WOW! Like others have already said; I love hearing stories about the roads traveled by animators. Very inspiring and informative. Can't wait to hear more. So post it! Post it now!! Why haven't you posted it yet!!

Thank you! I'm sure everyone else is saying the same thing but thanks alot Andrew. Great backstory and info. Can't wait for the next episode. Thanks again to you, Andrew, and the rest of you guys for all the helpful info and resources. You guys rock.-Chris Waltner

Awesome!I really liked hearing his story. It is really inspiring, and well... that is the purpose of an animator after all, tell a story, and his got a great one.Cant wait to hear next part!Thanks Dr. Gordon and Andrew Stanton

Yeah, I know about the "oh wow" and "really". What do you want, I'm not Dan Rather. Its really the first time I interviewed anybody so you get what you pay for... I tried editing them out but it was a nightmare. I'll be more professional in the future. Dang, you guys are rough... :)

Fan-freakin-tastic. I'm a big fan of Andrew Stanton, and it's hard to get interviews and stories about my idols. So having this available is an utter joy. I can't wait for the later parts, and it would be incredible to hear from even more artists. Pixar's other directors of course -- but also some behind-the-scenes guys we really never get to hear from anywhere else.

Excellent Podcast, it just goes to show its the friends and people you know that make you in this industry. So get along with lots of people and don't be prejudice on the work you choose. It may very well pay off in the long run. Great Work Andrew. Thanks.

yeah, just giving some contructive critism. you pretty much asked for it by asking for comments. ;)its really not that bad. just mentioning for future reference.the only way youd be able to edit it out would be if you had two audio tracks, which Im asuiming you didnt have. if you could/would that would give you more flexibility in editing.but you may not have that option with the equipment you have. I wouldnt know.

Finally got to listen to the first part. Awesome. Absolutely awesome. It is really great to hear how well known and talented figures got their start. It makes all of us little people feel like we have a chance.

Andrew, I, myself, enjoyed the ohh and ahhs and wow's. I felt like we were pals, listening to Andrew S's intriquing story together around the Pixar campfire. And, i'd much rather know the interviewer is enjoying what's he hearing as much as we, the listeners are. I'd say don't waste your time editing it out. It's the content that matters, not how well you can listen without talking. Keep doin' what your doin' man. You rock!-Chris Waltner

Interesting interview. Good sound on mr. Stanton's voice, but you should crank up the sound of your own voice... I could barely hear it.

Great story mr. Andrew Stanton told. He is a great director! I'm looking forward to listen to the rest of the interview.

Keep interviewing more Pixar employees like mr. John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Brad Bird, or yourself for that matter, and any other employees. It would be interesting to hear an interview about yourself as well.

It would have been cool if you made VIDEO interviews, too. Maybe you have, I don't know, I'm new at this web site.

Good job Andrew Gordon, and good storytelling by Andrew Stanton. I hope you (Gordon) make some more interviews with Pixar guys, because I really want to learn everything about Pixar and it's people. My dream is to work there...

Keep up the great interviews. Awesome!

You must be a really good artist to be working at Pixar Animation Studios. Congratulations on getting a Pixar job!